10 Skills Everyone Should Know How to Do

February 24, 2017 by jlmdiscovery

The other day our van died and I realized that I don’t know how to jump a car. Now, I know the concept, and I know how to look up instructions. But if I had to do it without guidance? I’d be stuck.

So this got me thinking: what else should I know how to do? There are a lot of life skills we’re expected to just “know”. But unless our parents took the time to teach us, most of what we learn comes from a Home Economics or searching for how-to videos when something goes wrong.

Here are 10 skills I think everyone should learn how to do.

1. Jump Start a Car

Why wait until you’re stuck with a dead car battery when you can be prepared? Take a look through the owner’s manual of your car and get familiar with the basic components under your hood. You can jump a car using either another running vehicle or a portable jump starter.

2. Change a Tire

Emergency car skill #2: learning how to change a flat. If you don’t know already, check your car to see if you have a full-sized spare tire or temporary spare (i.e. a “donut”). Note that for a temporary spare or run-flat tires, you’ll need to keep your speed limited (under 50 mph typically) and switch it out within 50 miles.

3. Perform an Oil Change

This last car skill will save you money on routine car maintenance. Check your owner’s manual to learn which type of oil your car requires, where the major components are located, and how often you need to change it. Tip: never change your oil immediately before leaving for a big trip (we almost missed the flight to our wedding because my husband ran into some issues a few hours before we were set to leave).

4. Perform Basic First Aid and CPR

When faced with an accident or emergency, no one wants to have to take the time to look up what to do. Educate yourself on proper first aid, CPR, and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) techniques. You can find a list of common first aid situations from the Mayo Clinic. The American Red Cross offers a wide range of training and online courses, including a Family First Aid class (only $25).

Here is a basic video demonstrating CPR techniques. Review these instructions annually and always check for the most up-to-date information.

5. Manage Personal Finances

While you don’t need to be an expert, you should have an understanding of the following:

How to Create (and Stick to) a Budget
How to Balance a Checkbook/Track Your Accounts
How to Manage Credit Cards
How to Manage Debt and Interest
How to Prepare for Retirement and Long-Term Goals

Sites such as LearnVest or this playlist from the Khan Academy will teach you the basics of a variety of personal finance topics. Services such as Mint or You Need a Budget will assist you in creating budgets, tracking your accounts, and paying off debt. Even if you think some of these topics don’t matter to you now, financial literacy will help you accomplish more with your hard-earned money.

6. File Your Taxes

You might already have someone who does your taxes for you, but improving your understanding of the process will take a lot of the stress out of it. Print out this tax form checklist of the documents you need to file your taxes and keep it as a reference. Check out the current year’s tax calendar and note the due dates on your personal calendars. File your own taxes using software such as TurboTax or H&R Block Online. Finally, use these recommendations for how long you should keep your income tax returns.

7. How to Cook

Now, I’m not saying you need to be the next Iron Chef (although a few too many Food Network marathons may have you think so). But everyone should know how to prepare basic, nutritious meals for themselves and their families. Start off by learning how to read a recipe. Then, make a list of some of your favorite meals and search for recipes online. Follow the instructions and focus on learning one recipe at a time until you get it right.

I promise, anyone can learn how to cook. Here are some videos to get you started.

8. Perform Basic Home Maintenance

If you own your home, you have full responsibility for maintaining it. It can be easy to ignore routine maintenance tasks when everything is going smoothly. But letting that maintenance lapse can result in thousands of dollars in repairs later on. Keep a checklist of annual home tasks. Mark dates in your calendar each year so you don’t forget.

Keep in mind that renter’s need to know many of these skills as well.

9. Sew a Repair

It can ruin your day when your favorite clothing gets a tear. Learn how to mend your own clothes and you can save the time and expense of a tailor. Here are a few skills to learn:

How to Mend a Seam
How to Sew a Button
How to Sew a Patch
How to Hem

For most repairs you only need to know a few basic stitches (no sewing machine required).

10. How to Manage Stress

In all our efforts to improve our physical health, we often forget about our mental well-being. We live in a stressful world. It’s important to know how to deal with stress and where to get support. Learn how to recognize stress. Test out a variety of stress-management techniques and note the ones that work best for you. Use this “stress toolbox” whenever you start feeling the effects of stress. Build a support network you can rely on when you need help.

This is one of my favorite TED videos. While stress can have significant negative impacts on our health, it can also be a motivator. The key is to take charge of our own wellness.

Are there skills you’d like to add to this list? Let me know in the comments!

Best Math Resources for Any Age

March 14, 2016 by jlmdiscovery

$Best Math Resources for Any Age$

Happy Pi Day everyone!

To celebrate this year’s Pi Day I’ve decided to put together a list of some of my favorite math resources. Math is one of those subjects most people either love or hate, but as it is every present in our world it is still one we should all understand. Even if you haven’t been interested in it before, check out these sites to see a different side of the STEM world!

Adult Education

Wolfram MathWorld – a mathematics encyclopedia and resouce
Khan Academy – free opencourseware on a wide range of math subjects
MIT OpenCourseWare – free opencourseware from the MIT Mathematics Department
Coursera – a compilation of free math courses from the world’s leading universities
TED Talks – intriguing TED Talks about some of math’s most interesting questions

K-12 Education

TED-Ed Math Videos – fun, educational TED videos to get kids interested in math applications
The Math Dude – podcasts covering mathematics lessons and fun math facts
PBS Learning Media – a variety of resources, including articles, videos, and interactive media, focused on explaining mathematics
Mathsframe – includes over 200 math games for ages K-12
Yummy Math – a site dedicated to demonstrations of how math applies to our everyday lives

Note: I’ve separated these sites in order to identify which are at an elementary level and which are more advanced, but high school students may be better served by those listed under “Adult Education”.

For more math fun, check out my post on the Top 10 Ways to Celebrate the Ultimate Pi Day!

10 Places to Find Discount Books

March 2, 2016 by jlmdiscovery

I’m not going to lie: I’m technically in no need of new books. But even with a collection of over 1,600 already I can’t help but get excited browsing all the titles on the shelves. My husband both laughs and cries a little as I walk out of the stores with my arms spilling over with aerospace textbooks, Stephen King novels, and Titanic references. If you, too, are an avid reader, I’d bet you’re also constantly on the lookout for good deals on your favorite interests. Here are 10 of my favorite places to find discount books!

Goodwill/Salvation Army – our old Goodwill used to have an entire wall of the store dedicated to used books at only $1-2 apiece
Used Book Stores – while some are higher priced than others, they usually have a great selection of books in decent shape
Antique/Consignment Shops – great for older or vintage books
Flea Markets – these may take some searching, but flea and trader markets typically have small collections here and there
Yard Sales – many people purge their books for yard sales so be sure to make a stop when you drive by one
Book Fairs – book fairs or dollar book swaps are popular in cities so look around for news of upcoming events
Library Sales – from time to time libraries will host book fairs to get rid of excess copies
Book Swaps – public book swaps are popping up more frequently, or you can always trade with friends
Used Book Sites – I frequently use the used option on Amazon to get textbooks and hardcovers for a good price
Free E-books – when all else fails, look online for free e-books (ex. Project Gutenberg)

Do you have any other suggestions on where to find discount or free books? Please leave them in the comments below!

How to Stay the Course: OpenCourseWare and Independent Study

February 1, 2016 by jlmdiscovery

Ever wanted to learn a new language? Pick up some computer skills? Perhaps brush up on some world history? It’s never been easier with the wide availability of open courses and online education. The world of knowledge is literally at your fingertips 24/7, merely a click away. But even with a resolution to expand your mind, it can be difficult to stay motivated when there is no external pressure to push through the work. For some it even brings back memories of groaning school days and exam stress. Yet, it doesn’t have to feel that way. In this age we are given such an opportunity to learn anything we’ve ever wanted to learn from scholars and experts all around the world. With a few tips and tricks you too can stay the course.

OpenCourseWare (OCW) lessons deliver educational content typically published by universities and posted free or at low-cost online. They include course notes, example problems, videos, articles, and more designed for independent study. A quick search will yield results from the likes of Harvard, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Yale, Tufts, and many others. In addition, stand alone learning sites have been established to provide general education on a variety of topics. Subjects range from personal finance to advanced robotics, with everything in between. Here are a few of my favorite sources:

So now that you’ve chosen a course, how do you approach it? Check out these ten tips to keep you on track:

1) Set a (SMART) goal

Before jumping into a course, you’ll be most successful if you understand what you want to learn and when you want to learn it by. For example, “I’d like to complete this course on introductory physics within three months in order to understand the fundamentals of mechanics.” Framing the goal will help you plan out the best way to achieve it.

2) Understand your motivation(s)

It’s not always enough to just want to do something without knowing why you want to do it. Ask yourself what you to gain by taking an online course: maybe studying up on personal finance will help ease the stress of tax season/family budgeting or perhaps learning to code will enhance your resume. Make a note of the reason and post it somewhere visible so it won’t be forgotten.

3) Set short-term milestones

Some of these courses are based on material that can be covered within a week, while others are built around semester-long college syllabi. Don’t let the longer ones discourage you! Break up the course into smaller chunks (i.e. units) and set a timeline to complete each of them. Mark the dates in your calendar so you have deadlines to meet.

4) Plan a reward

While the satisfaction of completing a course may be enough for some, it always helps to dangle an extra carrot at the end of the road. Choose a reward (or multiple small ones for short-term milestones) that you can look forward to at the end of the course. Share your reward idea with friends or family to help you stay accountable.

5) Dedicate a routine time block

In busy schedules it’s difficult to squeeze in time every day for an extra task. Look at your average week and find a routine time you can focus on your education. This may be 15 minutes per day or an hour twice a week; whatever works for you consistently. Try to pick a time when you can be free from other distractions. Sticking to a routine will get you a lot further than simply logging in now and then. Speaking of distractions, make those time blocks social media-free!

6) Choose a study space

Some people need complete peace and quiet in order to study, and others don’t mind a bit of background noise. Try both and see what works best for you. Noise-reducing headphones or white noise sites (like Coffitivity) are your friends. Whichever you choose, have a clear workspace and equip it with whatever tools you may need (notebooks, pens, highlighters, post-its, etc).

7) Dedicate a notebook/binder/folder

Speaking of supplies, it’s best to keep your course notes in one location. This can be a notebook and folder with a set of printouts or a comprehensive binder. Doing this keeps you focused on one subject at a time and lets you organize your thoughts for review.

8) Set reminders

Even with a routine, it’s easy to put aside personal development when there are plenty of other tasks to complete during the day. Set reminders for your study blocks and put your sessions in your calendars as standing appointments. Make them motivational, functional, or authoritative: whichever will get you back on the computer.

9) Keep a running list of questions to answer

Retention is always optimal when we are engaged in what we are learning. If you get stuck on a concept or you don’t understand an example, make a note of it and search out the answer. Allow yourself time to review your notes and clear up any confusion.

10) Supplement with real-world applications

Course material can often get dry, so make it a point to read interesting related articles or practice what you’ve learned. If you’ve been studying Spanish, try to have a conversation with a fluent speaker. If you’ve been studying finance, create a sample budget. If you’ve been studying engineering, read up on some of the incredible inventions being released. Tying everything together will help solidify the material in your mind.

I hope these tips can help keep you motivated as you pursue your independent study. If you haven’t explored OpenCourseWare before, now is a great time to try it. There is literally a course out there for everyone. Best of luck!

10 Ways to Celebrate Independence Day

July 4, 2015 by jlmdiscovery

Happy 4th of July everyone! Today is the day we commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and honor everything America. So in the spirit of patriotism, here are 10 ways to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day with family and friends.

1) Read the Declaration of Independence
I don’t know about you, but so far I haven’t actually sat down to read through one of our country’s most important documents. I learned about it in school, and I can recite the first phrase, but sadly that’s where it ends. This is my goal for this year. You can find the full transcript from the National Archives or download an app for your tablet/phone (I suggest a free app like Declaration for iPad or the Constitution Reference Suite containing a collection of founding documents and speeches for $0.99).

2) Learn about our Independence Day
Yes, we all know the signing of the Declaration kicked off the American Revolution. But do you know about the rest of the history and traditions that surround the 4th of July? Check out these articles from the History Channel and TED to start educating yourself.

3) Fly the flag
If you don’t already have a flag posted outside your home, today is a perfect day to start. Flags are available from Walmart or other local stores. Be sure to read up on proper flag etiquette before you set it up, and remember to shine a light if you’re flying it at night.

4) Host a themed BBQ
Okay, so this isn’t really a novel idea, but it’s still fun. Gather your family and friends to celebrate with a grill and some patriotic-themed treats. Betty Crocker has a great list of appetizing suggestions, but a quick (i.e. endless) search through Pinterest will flood your head with an unlimited supply of red, white, and blue dishes and decorations. I’ll be making s’mores dip, dipped pretzels, and firecracker bark this year.

5) Learn about the origins of the American flag
We all love to don our red, white, and blue, but do you know why those colors were chosen? Read up on the history of the American flag from PBS, the USA Flag Site, and USA.gov.

6) Thank a veteran or serviceman
Sometimes it’s too easy to focus on the rights and privileges we have now and forget how we got them. Take a moment today and reach out to a member of our Armed Forces, past or present. They’ll appreciate your support. Also, keep in mind that some combat veterans in your area may suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), so look out for signs like these and please be respectful with your use of fireworks.

7) Tour a historic site or explore a virtual museum
If you’re lucky enough to live in one of the original 13 states, chances are you’re within range of some historic foundations of early America. Tour a state capitol, Independence Hall, the Smithsonian museums, the D.C. monuments, or any of the American Revolution battle sites. If you can’t make it to a museum in person, check out virtual tours of the American History Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, Memorial Hall, or create your own. You can also use Google Earth to explore sites all around the country in 360 panoramas.

8) Watch a movie about the American Revolution
I grew up watching the musical 1776 with my dad every July 4th (seriously, who doesn’t love a dancing Ben Franklin). However, if you’re looking for something that doesn’t break into song, check out this list of movies that take place during the American Revolution. Based on ones I’ve seen, I suggest The Patriot, but I’m looking forward to seeing April Morning and Drums Along the Mohawk eventually. For kids, I’d actually suggest the America Rock! videos (from the Schoolhouse Rock! series). Warning: the songs will be stuck in your heads for years. Plus, there’s always Independence Day.

9) Reflect on what you’re grateful for
Regardless of how you feel about day-to-day politics, when you think of the freedoms we have in the country, we are very fortunate. We often take such liberties for granted and only focus on what divides us. Just imagine how much worse it could be, as compared to several other countries or even compared to our own a few hundred years ago. Remember to reflect on what we all have to be thankful for.

10) Watch fireworks
It wouldn’t be the 4th of July without fireworks blasting through the sky. Check out your local paper to find shows near you, or drive to one of these displays listed at the top 20 fireworks shows in the country. Don’t want to deal with the crowds? Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular airs on NBC at 8pm (EST/PST) and A Capitol Fourth airs on PBS at the same time.

I hope you and your family have a very happy 4th of July!

For the Love of Lists

Engineering life one step at a time